She worked in fields and swap meets. Now she has over 30 years on television in Fresno
Lupita Lomelí has not always been a fixture on Spanish-language television in the Fresno region, but it appears that way for the thousands of viewers who have tuned in to hear or see her since 1993.
That’s the year that Lomelí began hosting the Univision Fresno morning show ‘Despierta Valle Central’ (Wake up Central Valley.)
“This is all I know how to do,” Lomelí said. “It’s a long time. And there’s not that many that have done what I have done. You know, being solid for 30 years. No, not that many people.”
Lomelí, who is fluent in English and Spanish, doesn’t consider herself a TV personality, but instead “I’m the community’s friend. That is how I feel.”
Lomelí said that people are not afraid to approach or talk to her, and even give her hugs.
When Lomelí started the Univision show, it was live from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Today, the 1-hour variety show is pre-recorded the previous day for broadcast at 6 a.m. The show provides community services, including round table discussions and live entertainment with bands from everywhere.
When asked what her secret is to stay on air at KFTV Channel 21 for more than three decades, Lomelí replies, “I love my job!”
“I love the fact that Univision allows me to serve the community. And to me, it’s a privilege to be able to serve people,” Lomelí said. “And my job is to empower people. And, anytime I have the opportunity to either help or empower somebody, that’s one of the happiest moments of my life.”
One of the rewards of her job is “having the power to help the community,” she said. “And that’s what we do every day.”
For example, during a recent program, she welcomed two doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to talk about the importance of vaccines to educate people about some misconceptions.
Lomelí organizes about three, annual health fairs, and helps organize La Feria de la Educación at Fresno State with Martina Granados and a few other people.
“The last health fair that we had at the Manchester Center, we had 12 doctors that provided free services,” she said. “So, bringing those services for the community that needs it, that’s my main goal in in my job and, and I’m happy with my life because of those things.”
Lomelí is also the Fresno Univision director of community empowerment.
One with the community
An immigrant herself, Lomelí knows the struggles of many Valley residents who left their homeland in search of a better live in the United States.
As a single mom, Lomelí said she had a responsibility to raise and provide for her kids on her own.
“We had some tough times when they were little, financially and emotionally,” she said. “Believe me, being able to get up at 3 in the morning and being here at the station at 5 in the morning and running back to change my kids so they could go to school. It wasn’t easy.”
“It was a very difficult time, but very rewarding because I look at my kids now, and I’m so proud of them.”
“I know that we all three struggles, but we pulled through and we’re fine together. They’re my pride and joy,” Lomelí said of her two adult children.
She is not afraid to talk about her struggles. Early in her life, she was selling at the remate (swap meet) to make ends meet when one of the radio stations where she worked at closed and she had to move to a different area.
She also worked in the fields like her parents, who worked in the fields all their lives.
“I know their struggles and I know people’s struggles. That is why I am always trying to help,” said Lomelí. “Provide any type of information that can assist the farmworkers because I grew up that way.
Born in a town called La Tinaja in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Lomelí’s parents immigrated to the United States to the Central Valley and settled in Westley in western Stanislaus County,
She graduated from Patterson High School and went to Fresno City College.
“I didn’t finish, so I don’t like to take credits that don’t belong to me,” said Lomelí.
She has been recognized with many accolades and awards throughout her career including the Latino Spirit Award from state Latino Legislative Caucus, the key from the City of Fresno, and the Ohtli Award from the Consulate of México in Fresno which recognizes individuals who have aided, empowered or positively affected the lives of Mexican nationals that reside abroad.
Lomelí is being recognized as mother of the year by Arte Americas at a Mother’s Day ceremony.
Lomelí said she asked her children if they thought that she deserved that award, which they thought was OK.
“But let me tell you, do I feel like I am the best mother of the world, of course not, because there is not perfect mother,” Lomelí said. “But I have been there for my kids, that is for sure.”
More than a TV host
Lomelí started as an on-air talent for Spanish-language radio stations in the late 70s starting in Modesto at Radio KITA 102 FM, before going to Stockton and ending in Fresno at KXEX.
Not only has Lomelí been an on-air personality all her life, but she was a singer and even has a movie credit under her belt.
“I used to sing. I used to travel everywhere singing,” she said.
Lomelí used to go on tour with singers like Las Jilguerillas (a Mexican ranchera duo that was formed in the mid-1950s by sisters Imelda and María Amparo Higuera.), Juan Valentín, Jorge Rivero, Mercedes Castros, and Valentina Leyva.
Lomelí was in the 1986 Mexican movie ‘La Banda del Acordion’ with Mexican artists Gerardo Reyes and Rafael Buendía.
“We filmed it in small little parts, and you won’t believe it, but I’ve never seen the movie. I just saw my part and that’s it,” said Lomelí, adding that her role was filmed at the Fulton Mall.
